Amber:
by Michael Whiting
ESSENDON has surged into the top eight, holding on to defeat winless Gold Coast by nine points at People First Stadium on Sunday.
The Bombers dominated most of the day and finally got some breathing space with three unanswered goals in the third quarter on the way to a 5.6 (36) to 4.3 (27) triumph.
Natalie Wood’s team has now won three matches on the trot, making it four from seven overall, ahead of a date with the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.
In temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, Essendon had winners all over the ground, and could have won by more if its connection inside 50 was a little more crisp.
Maddy Prespakis was fantastic in dealing with an Elise Barwick tag, kicking two goals from 22 disposals to be the game’s most influential player.
She was ably assisted in the midfield by Georgia Nanscawen (28 disposals including seven clearances), Stephanie Wales (17 and a goal) and Stephanie Cain (18).
Despite having 43 more disposals, winning six more clearances and generating 44 inside 50s to Gold Coast’s 26, the Bombers just couldn’t deliver the knockout punch.
They led by 19 at the final change, but goals to Jac Dupuy and Jordan Membrey set up a nervous final five minutes.
Meara Girvan was fantastic for the Suns, cutting off everything in defence, while Daisy D’Arcy and Charlie Rowbottom continued fine seasons.
Essendon dominated territory for large chunks of the opening quarter, but struggled to capitalise on the scoreboard.
Amber Clarke kicked the game’s first goal through a clever right-footed snap, although the Suns backline generally held up well under a mountain of pressure, with Charlotte Wilson’s goal-saving tackle on Paige Scott indicative of their endeavour.
The home team found some footing in the second quarter with captain Tara Bohanna finding Dupuy for a goal in the opening minute and then converting following a strong mark late in the term to keep the margin at two points.
Again, the Bombers failed to make the most of their ascendency, going to the half-time break with 25 inside 50s to 12, but struggling with composure when it mattered most.
Prespakis too good for the Barwick tag
Rather than send established tagger Lucy Single to Maddy Prespakis, Gold Coast coach Cam Joyce opted to continue Elise Barwick’s development by giving her the job on the former League best-and-fairest winner. Prespakis was too strong and too skilled, finishing with 22 disposals and two goals. Barwick was so conscious of her opponent’s movement around congestion, she gave away five free kicks in the first half before settling down after the main break.
Suns’ scoring woes continue
In seven games this season, Gold Coast has failed to top 40 points. Against the Bombers it was more the lack of opportunities than any problems inside 50, as they generated just 26 entries into the attacking section of the ground. The Suns would often win the ball back in defence and find themselves outnumbered ahead of the ball, resulting in hurried kicks back to their opponents. When they did have equal numbers, keys Tara Bohanna and Jac Dupuy looked dangerous – they just didn’t get enough looks.
Up next
Essendon has a great chance to solidify its spot in the eight against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night at Whitten Oval from 7.15pm AEDT. Gold Coast heads north for the QClash against Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena next Saturday at 4.05pm AEST.
GOLD COAST 0.0 2.2 2.3 4.3 (27)
ESSENDON 1.1 2.4 5.4 5.6 (36)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Dupuy 2, Membrey, Bohanna
Essendon: Prespakis 2, A.Clarke 2, Wales
BEST
Gold Coast: Girvan, McLaughlin, D’Arcy, Single, Rowbottom, Bohanna
Essendon: Nanscawen, Prespakis, G.Clarke, Gay, Cain, Morcom
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Essendon: A.Clarke (knee)
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 1,329 at People First Stadium
3 Likes
some glaring omissions from the bests there
1 Like
The absolute disrespect for Gaylor.
7 Likes
How dare they disrespect the Princess!
Queen call was correct, though.
2 Likes
She must read Blitz.
They’ve won the last 3 weeks in a row after I made my comment on hers and Daria’s fitness
Some lowlife DM’d her on Instagram with some choice words, fairly sure that would be directed at her.
Regardless, shes a gun.
3 Likes
The funny thing is, if that was Matthew ■■■■■ calling for SEN, he’s a Bombers supporter!!
I’m Peter Holden, and I endorse this message.
5 Likes
I find the vast majority of Essendon supporting media people really go out of their way to appear “fair” by just cannoning into the dons.
2 Likes
Seems the AFLW has had a day to think about their actions and has promptly awarded her the rising star nomination for the round!
6 Likes
Coaches rank the Queen over the Princess.
Gold Coast v Essendon
9 Georgia Nanscawen (ESS)
8 Madison Prespakis (ESS)
5 Meara Girvan (GCFC)
4 Stephanie Wales (ESS)
2 Georgia Clarke (ESS)
1 Lucy Single (GCFC)
1 Charlie Rowbottom (GCFC)
LEADERBOARD
53 Ashleigh Riddell (NMFC)
52 Ebony Marinoff (ADEL)
50 Jasmine Garner (NMFC)
45 Ally Anderson (BL)
43 Monique Conti (RICH)
43 Ella Roberts (WCE)
40 Charlie Rowbottom (GCFC)
40 Eliza West (HAW)
38 Ellie McKenzie (RICH)
36 Laura Gardiner (SYD)
31 Aisling McCarthy (FRE)
31 Mim Strom (FRE)
30 Anne Hatchard (ADEL)
27 Brittany Bonnici (COLL)
27 Sophie Conway (BL)
27 Sofia Hurley (SYD)
27 Madison Prespakis (ESS)
24 Mia King (NMFC)
24 Georgia Nanscawen (ESS)
21 Rebecca Beeson (GWS)
21 Alison Drennan (WCE)
4 Likes
Ooooh I think I can finally do the math on one of these!
Georgia Nanscawen 5 + 4
Madison Prespakis 3 + 5
Meara Girvan 2 + 3
Stephanie Wales 4 + 0
Georgia Clarke 0 + 2
Lucy Single 1 + 0
Charlie Rowbottom 0 + 1
3 Likes
Credit to the Girls: “When is Georgia Nanscawen going to get the respect she deserves?”
They spend twenty seconds gushing, then announce she’s not getting votes for best five of the weekend, because Prespakis has to get the 1.
(Ally Anderson is leading their ladder)
1 Like
I’ll say it again; Georgia’s ground ball gets are elite. She does not fumble and her decision making has been on point. Hope I’m not setting her up for a ■■■■ game on Friday!!
This fixture has really ■■■■■■ me off though! Never again AFL…
7 Likes
What I said the first time I saw her play:
Norf are, in fact, not sane.
And the photo above demonstrates the low centre of gravity!
Didn’t we see her at a practice game at Willy?
How ‘bout shut up?
…
Actually, there is zero evidence of your claim on Blitz so 
No evidence, really? How slack of you.
I’m pretty sure they announced that practice game around the same time as the VFLM round 3 game starting at Chirnside Park.
If you attended Willy and didn’t report on it, then shame on you!
(Nanscawen didn’t play in the practice game versus the Pies ourselves, which Radio 3DJR did broadcast.)